First time in history that a Barisan Nasional menteri besar visited a temple during Thaipusam, Why NOW?~malaysiakini

The saga of the two Menteris Besar in Perak continued today with both of them visiting the same temple to meet Hindus celebrating Thaipusam.

Newly minted Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir arrived in his SUV at the Arulmigusubramaniam Temple in Gunung Cheroh at 8.30am and was met by several MIC and PPP leaders.

He proceeded to shake hands with some stall owners before making a short speech to the temple-goers, in the process pledging RM100,000 for the temple.

"I am the menteri besar for all," Zambry told a crowd of some 50 people gathered at a makeshift stage within the temple compound.

He hurriedly left the temple with little fanfare after his speech as he had to rush to Kuala Lumpur.

Nizar walks to temple

Meanwhile, ousted Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin arrived at the temple at 10.30am.

He walked with several of his supporters for about 1.5 kilometres to meet and greet Hindu devotees on route to the temple.

If this was a popularity contest, Mohd Nizar won it hands down as he was greeted with cheers, applauses and cries of "Hidup Pakatan".

Unlike Zambry, Mohd Nizar not only visited individual stalls, but also made one round around the packed temple which saw him being mobbed by supporters.

After his walkabout, Mohd Nizar took to the same makeshift stage and told the crowd that Pakatan Rakyat was still the legitimate government of Perak.

"Thank you for your continued support. We will prevail!" said a highly charged Mohd Nizar, while urging his supporters to keep their emotions in check during the ongoing crisis.

Mohd Nizar then led the crowd in a round of loud chants of "Hidup Pakatan Rakyat" and "Valga Makkal Sakti", as drum-beats accompanying kavadi bearers played on below him.

Nizar's second visit

Speaking to reporters later, Mohd Nizar said that the new Barisan Nasional government was illegitimate and will take steps to restrict the Pakatan government.

"But we will continue our duties," he declared.

Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran told Malaysiakini that this was the first time in history that a Barisan Nasional menteri besar visited a temple during Thaipusam.
"But this is the second time that Mohd Nizar had visited this temple during Thaipusam. Last year, he was not even menteri besar or a state rep at the time," he said.

Kulasegaran said that Mohd Nizar's visit to the temple was scheduled last Wednesday before BN ousted Pakatan through defections.

malaysiakini
09/02/09

mi1: Imagine who is honest???